NZ's best kept secret | The Coastal Pacific train | Picton to Christchurch
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- Опубліковано 19 чер 2024
- Discover one of world's great railway journeys - the Coastal Pacific from Picton, at the top of New Zealand's South Island, to Christchurch. This little known train is an incredible, half-day adventure along the spectacular east coast of New Zealand's South Island.
In this video, we’ll check out the Scenic Class carriages, try the on board food and drink, and take in the incredible views, from pink lakes and beautiful beaches to snow-capped mountains and rolling plains. We’ll also learn a bit about the destructive forces that closed this line for almost two years. Come along on what just might be, one of the best railway journeys in the world.
Stops include Blenheim, Kaikōura and Rangiora. The Coastal Pacific uses the Main North Line, sometimes called the South Island Main Trunk railway.
Coastal Pacific bookings, fares and timetable:
www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours...
🚉 Train: The Coastal Pacific
🚉 Operator: Great Journeys of New Zealand (parent company: KiwiRail)
🚉 Locomotive: New Zealand DX class (DXB 5137)
🚉 Seat: Car C, Seat 5A (window)
🚉 Route: Picton - Christchurch (Main North Line)
🚉 Distance: 347.5 km
🚉 Travel time: 5 hours 50 minutes (scheduled)
🚉 Class: Scenic Class
🚉 Travel date: 4 November 2022
EQUIPMENT:
🚉 Cameras: GoPro Hero 10, GoPro Hero 8, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Panasonic HC-VX1
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:09 - Picton Railway Station and check in
02:11 - Train arrival and boarding
03:28 - Scenic Class seating, departure and crew announcements
06:21 - Route overview and lunch option
08:05 - Para Wetlands and Marlborough wine region
09:47 - Blenheim
11:13 - Redwood Pass and Awatere River
13:41 - Lake Grassmere Saltworks
15:50 - Reaching the Pacific Ocean
17:32 - Cafe car and afternoon tea
19:01 - Seal spotting at Ohau Point
20:16 - Mangamaunu Bay and the Kaikōura Ranges
22:14 - Kaikōura
25:24 - Tunnels and coastline
26:24 - 2016 Kaikōura earthquake
28:06 - Beautiful coastal views
31:00 - Okarahia Viaduct and final coastal views
32:57 - The Conway River and wine time
35:38 - The Canterbury Plains
39:15 - Rangiora
40:17 - Train fare and overall thoughts
42:08 - Arrival into Christchurch
44:11 - Canterbury Railway Station and final thoughts
45:06 - TranzAlpine preview
Coastal Pacific video by Doc7Austin:
• New Zealand by Rail - ...
Route guide by the Man in Seat 61:
www.seat61.com/NewZealand.htm...
Music
I use Artlist for high quality, licensed audio. If you sign up using my referral link below, you will get two extra months for free.
artlist.io/Adam-3542584
Credits and sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_No...
Pronunciations:
Te Aka Māori-English Dictionary:
maoridictionary.co.nz/
KiwiRail map
www.arcgis.com/apps/View/inde...
Kaikoura Ranges
teara.govt.nz/en/1966/kaikour...
Video and photo credits:
The Great Journeys of New Zealand
Reopening New Zealand’s Main North Line by KiwiRail
• Reopening New Zealand’...
Railing against time - facts and figures about rebuilding the Main North Line:
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/...
Awatare River rail bridge
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Blenheim Railway Station
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Schwede66 via Wikimedia Commons
Christchurch Railway Station 1960
Source: Christchurch City Libraries
christchurchcitylibraries.com...
Old Christchurch Railway Station demolition 58
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Maps of the New Zealand faults:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Papatea Fault at Waipapa Bay, courtesy GNS Science
Papatea Fault at Waipapa Bay, 1 week after earthquake, courtesy GNS Science
Canterbury Plains map
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Follow me on social media:
/ _fromthewindowseat
/ adamgjoyce
/ adamjoycetravels
#kiwirail #greatrailjourneys #trainreview #greatjourneysnz
This is a great quality production. I've driven that piece of coastline many times and recommend seeing it (one way or another) to all visitors to New Zealand.
Yes, it’s certainly beautiful. Thank you!
@@FromtheWindowSeat ❤0
Great video but dreadful pronunciation of Maori place names! Please seek help before attempting more!
I love your train videos, very precise, and good information. I feel Coastal Pacific should be promoted more, it's one of the best coastal train rides.
Thank you. Yes, I think it’s the least known of New Zealand’s long distance trains but deserves to be widely known. 😌
Your content is as always, excellent. Kiwirail should be paying you a promo fee! Really glad you had a great time over here and got to explore a wee bit. Your pronunciation of te reo is spot on. Ka pai for practicing! Australia and NZ really do have the most fantastic scenery, eh?
Thanks so much! I like your thinking … I guess one advantage of paying for it myself is that no one can call my opinions biased. 😉 I had an incredible time in New Zealand. The scenery is beautiful. I certainly plan to return.
What a fantastic video Adam. I can see how much hard work has gone into it. So informative and beautiful. Hope we meet some day.
Really appreciate that. Glad to know the effort shows. Thank you!
I love that they have emergency bridges in storage for use after earthquake damage. I would never have expected that.
Yes, surprised me too. But makes sense, given how common earthquakes are. 🤔
Excellent and beautiful landscape of New Zealand...
Thank you!
You were lucky to get DXB 5137 hauling your train. She was one of only seven DXs to receive that early KiwiRail livery, and the only one of those seven to get a yellow cab with black numbers instead of a grey cab with white numbers. I managed to see 5137 on coal trains back in April, when she was running with DXR 8022 (sister to 8007; the engine that appears at 2:03).
Oh cool. Good to know. Thanks!
Amazing land of beauty. Thanks for sharing your videos.👍✌️🍻
You’re welcome. 😊
It was awesome to see you and another one of your excellent videos. I was anxiously waiting for another one every since you filmed that ferry trip. I love the high quality of your videos. Thank you for the work you do and the expenditures you go through to bring us high quality content and beautiful places. Much appreciated 👌🌺.
That’s so kind of you to say. Thank you! I enjoy making both the journeys and videos - so the pleasure is mine. ☺️
Just beautiful.
It certainly is. Cheers!
Great video as always and don't worry about the Māori pronunciation, yours was pretty good and much better than many kiwis. A pity we don't have a lot more long-distance trains for you review. Just the Capital Connection and Wairarapa Line regional trains in Wellington, assuming you're doing/ have done the Tranz Alpine.
Thank you! 🙏 Yes, I would have loved to travel more by train in NZ but still very much enjoyed every train journey I took. The TranzAlpine was the final train I took in NZ so now that this one is done, I can start editing that one. 😉
The best videos on the beauty and uniqueness of New Zealand captured by you with informative commentary alongside. I felt as if I was inside that train on this thrilling journey. Thanks for your excellent channel on UA-cam.
Thanks so much Joseph for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed it.
Just incredible scenes and production Mr Adam, no words for the journey as well as your work.
Love, from India. ❤
Subscribed to enjoy more of your train journeys. 😊
Great to get this feedback. Many thanks! 😊
Thanks for a lovely review from on board the Coastal Pacific. Both my wife and myself did the trip from Christchurch to Picton. We enjoyed the hospitality from the staff onboard and the views were amazing. . Also the views as well. We stayed at Picton at their hotel before riding the Cook Straight to Wellington the next morning. I would recommended this train journey to every one.
Thank you! Glad to hear you loved the journey too. Recommendations all round. Cheers! ☺️
Thank you Adam for such a comprehensive quality video. How blessed are the wonderful Kiwis😊
Yes, New Zealand scenery is like the best of so many countries all in one. 😍 Thank you!
I love all your travel videos! They take me to places that I may never get to enjoy personally but you have a marvelous way of putting your viewer in the window seat beside you. Many thanks for all your videos... I can't wait for the bell to alert me to your next one. 🥰
Wonderful to hear that. Thank you! 🙏
Excellent video, have driven this route many times. Train journey looks so relaxing. On the bucket list!
Thank you! Yes, I highly recommend it. 😃
Never realised how much I was missing out on, habing never taken this trip, even with living in Blenheim for 30 years! Great video
Last time I took this train, the engineer was trying to make up time. We went at supersonic speed. We bounced so much it was impossible to stand. So bumpy!
Oh gee - sounds like quite the experience! 😮
Adam--an excellent and interesting video as always--good job!
Thanks so much. Great to hear. 😊
Great Video, yes I am seriously considering doing the coastal pacific and transalpine, i was a canterbury native until 1995 and would never have considered traveling by rail! thanks for a great review
Thank you! Happy to hear you might give them a go. Cheers!
thank you for this video, really makes me want to go as soon as possible, cant wait for your next video too
Great to hear. Thank you! 🙏
As a Kiwi following friend from across the creek you have done a great job showing our place we call home. As a train nutter you did a great job on the interislander followed you back home too. Thank you for the great trips
That’s brilliant to hear. Thank you!
Thank you for excellent video!
You are welcome! 😃
Fantastic video with really great scenery!
Lovely to hear that. Thank you!
Fabulous video Adam keep up the great work. I’m always inspired to travel after watching your posts.
Great to hear that. Thanks Darren!
Beautiful scenery beautifully filmed! Pleasantly narrated, too; just what I needed today.
Thank you kindly. 🙏
Just WOW! You put in great efforts in making this video. Loved it!
I’m glad to hear it shows. Thank you!
More happy memories of October 2000!! My friends lived in Blenheim... Thanks so much for this beautiful video!!♥️
A lovely part of the world. Thanks!
I thoroughly love your channel Adam 💯. Thank you so much for sharing your journeys ❤
Thanks so much! Great to hear.
Love all the information, music, accent, and most awesome video.
Great to hear. Thank you!
With regard to the rocky beaches with the fur seals : I drove through the area - when I was on vacation in 2007. The stench from the sea animals waste
is enough to burn your eyes and make you gag ! It was worse than driving past a pig farm ! .......and it lasts for several kilometers.
Oh, right - I never would have guessed. Good to know!
Really spectacular, looking forward to your next one 😂
Thank you! 😊
Thanks Adam, Kaikoura is a typical NZ small town, that i probably will move to. _ I love it
Cheers! Good to know. Keen to visit.
Fantastic video. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Great to hear. Thank you!
Wow.... Amazing , captivating and mesmerizing.
A very well documented Travelogue. I felt I were with You 🥺🥺.
Hat's off !!!
So good to hear. Thank you for your kind words! 🙏
Hi Adam a great production as usual. You’ve inspired me to take this trip when next in NZ. Cheers
Hi Ross. Many thanks! Great to hear that. You’ll love it. Cheers!
Wow congratulations on a fantastic video!!
Thanks so much!!
I did that ride way back in 2004, the trains weren't quite as nice then 🙂 Amazing journey & wonderful country, would recommend everyone to visit if possible.
Absolutely. A brilliant journey.
@@FromtheWindowSeat I loved NZ so much I visited again 18 months later :-) Long journey from the UK. My credit card never forgave me! But no regrets it's worth it. Wonderful country.
Driven this route a few times but nice to see it at leisure and from a different perspective
I imagine the drive would also be spectacular. Cheers!
A really marvellous journey. We did it on our first visit to New Zealand eight months ago. The colour of the water is a beautiful turquoise which looks unreal. The train is brilliant. Very well organised and lovely crew. We did all three train journeys. It would be great if there could be more, say, to Dunedin from Christchurch. I can't wait to get back to NZ in 2024!
Agreed. Yes, I’d love to catch the train from Christchurch to Dunedin.
Awesome informative video , promoting NZ
Thank you!
Hi, Awesome video, clear commentary, neat and perfect.
Your selection of background music 🎶 complements the video.
Great Job 💯
Thanks so much - really appreciate that. :)
I had the great pleasure of visiting your wonderful New Zealand in 2010 and absolutely fell in love with it! I was on a tour and saw parts of both Islands and I have told several people to by all means, take a trip to New Zealand. The people are also wonderful and I hope someday to come back.
Yes, it’s a beautiful place. 😍
Dude I live in picton and you done us justice 💪 thanks for that bro aroha nui
So good to hear that. Tēnā koe! 🙏
New subscribers here, watching in western CO, USA. Awesome job with the videography, commentary, editing, et al. Very impressive...and the NZ scenery is just lovely. One of our favorite new channels...God bless!
That’s lovely to hear. Thank you!
Excellent video! I've been bingeing all night on your New Zealand trips. I'll get around to the Aussie ones eventually.
My memory of this journey goes way back to when the seats were made from wooden slats! We were given pillows and I think maybe a blanket, because no heating! I travelled at night under a full moon. Magical! But, god it was COLD!🥶
Oh wow. What an experience that would have been! Thanks for watching.
Did this journey both ways last October. Stunning views and would highly recommend. From uk.
Wonderful!
What a fantastic journey, and such stunning views. I really enjoyed the video.
It brought back memories of my visit to Kaikōura when it was still recovering from the quake; such a lovely place. I definitely want to return, and this train trip would definitely be on my to do list.
Thank you for making and sharing the video . Keep up the good work. I look forward to the next one 👍👍
So glad to hear that. Thank you! I’m definitely keen to return and to spend some time in Kaikōura. Cheers!
Love this so much
Thank you!
The view is the same, also loved driving it. And seeing the seals. And crays at Kaikoura. Nice memories.
Great to hear. Cheers!
Another excellent video...:):):)
Thanks again!
Good video. I live in Christchurch and I've travelled the Coastal Pacific (and the Trans-Alpine) a number of times, but you still kept me interested.
Glad to hear that. Thank you!
Awesome video, thank you!!
Glad you like it. Cheers!
great video as always Adam!
Thanks Alex!
Great video- very comprehensive!
Thank you!
Wonderful presentation
Thank you! Cheers!
👋👌appreciate your narration and how you go the extra mile and add names of rivers, places. Your pronunciation is a lot better than some who say they are kiwi's. Kai te pai e ho.
Tēnā koe!
Hi Adam, as usual a wonderful presentation
Thanks Peter!
Excellent video and journey 🛤️👍
Appreciate the feedback. Thank you!
Excellent Explanation sir tku
You’re very welcome. 😃
Very interesting and well explained thanks
Great to hear. Thanks!
magnificent....very nice vdo friend...gr8 footages...big like...greetings from india
Glad you liked it. Thank you!
Fantastic video and great information on the pop-ups too. What a beautiful country. One problem - I really want to live there now.
Awesome to hear - thank you! Ha - yes, I can relate. 😉
Good video - and nice to see one of my maps used (at 36:14 - my Wikipedia name is Grutness :) I just wish that passenger services still extended down from Christchurch to where I am in Dunedin - it's another spectacular part of the line, especially as the train winds its way down towards Dunedin itself.
Thank you - including for your map!
I wish that too … I’ve never been to Dunedin but am keen to visit. It looks like a lovely city. When I do, I’m planning to travel the Taieri River Gorge but would love to travel between Christchurch and Dunedin by train as well. 🙏
@@FromtheWindowSeat I hope the Taieri line is back running by the time you visit! It was taken out of commission during Covid and isn't yet back in service - which is a tragedy, both for locals and for tourists.
@@jamesdignanmusic2765 It’s running again. There are dates through to August. www.dunedinrailways.co.nz/journeys/the-inlander-journey
@@FromtheWindowSeat Excellent! I hadn't heard than hews :)
Great video nice scenery
Thank you!
Just great video, greeting from usa
Thank you very much!
Love to hear the chug of the GE 7FDL’s half a world away. Amtrak’s GE’s use the same prime movers (albeit the 16 cylinder version). They make nearly an identical sound, and have drifted off to sleep in my sleeping accommodation listening to the same ‘music’.
Interesting to know. Appreciate your comment!
Great video.
Thank you!
I have to agree with you this s the best in New Zeland, I traveled it 16 years ago.
Wonderful to hear. Cheers!
The loco pulling it originally was infact DXR8007, I caught this train in Belfast. 8007 had a big fault so 5137 had to replace it as it had no use and was gonna be towed to Christchurch
Interesting to know. Thanks!
Ur taking a tasty food without calling me know....😂🎉😂🎉😂🎉😂
Ha!
Beautiful countryside to view, and excellent video + narration. (Given the noise and diesel odors that waft through the observation car, I wonder why it isn’t placed last on the train instead of immediately following the engine?)
Many thanks! The viewing car is furthest from the engine on the north bound journey but closest on the south. My guess is they don’t want the hassle and time of rearranging the consist. 🤔
Stunning as always, Adam! When I saw what train you were taking I poured myself a glass of New Zealand Sauvi Blanc to enjoy with the video. Great minds think alike. Are there any particular wines from that region you would recommend? I'd just love to pick your brain about wine in general. You seem to have good taste.
Thank you! I can highly recommend the rieslings at Framingham, No. 1 Family Estate for sparkling white … and the sauv blanc was good anywhere in Marlborough. 😋
I also got down to Central Otago where the standouts were Hawkshead Riesling and Coal Pit Pinot noir 2020. Not cheap but delicious.
Great content. Thank you. Its a shame they heated the meal in toxic plastic. 😬 Othetwise the journey looked lovely.
Thanks so much!
I would recomened you return to New Zealand as in Picton they Run a Steam train for tourist durning the Summer season. But I think that may change as they have had to use a Diesel due to fire risk being too high through the dashwood pass...
Sounds great - thank you!
@@FromtheWindowSeat yeah
Hi Adam, another fantastic video of an amazing train journey. You said it was a warm day...do you remember the temperature? The water was a beautiful blue but i reckon the temperature would be cold😂.
I loved your grin from ear to ear when you had the viewing car to yourself.
Have you ever been on the Puffing Billy in Victoria? I've been on a short ride only and thought the scenery was very nice.
Regards Erika from sunny Perth 😎
Hi Erika. Thank you! I can’t remember the temperature but I’m guessing it was low 20s. Not hot by Aussie standards but comfortable nonetheless. I have been on Puffing Billy but not in quite a few years. Need to visit again at some point. Cheers!
@FromtheWindowSeat OMG low 20s is definitely not swimming weather and would explain why you were wearing a jacket. Looking forward to your next video. Regards Erika from sunny Perth 😎
Hi there is a beautiful vd....I'm so impressed about it..I'd like to visit south my like for u..
Thank you. Yes, the South Island is incredibly beautiful.
Will you be doing a visit to The UK sometime in the future?
If so I would like to recommend The Far North Line from Inverness Scotland and for costal scenery The Belfast to Derry line in Northern Ireland.
Yes, hopefully. Both those routes sound great. 👍
Thankyou for your amazing videos! I’d love to do this trip next year from Perth…I was thinking of doing it in late March 2025, however, would September be more preferable? I don’t mind the cool weather…cheers.
Thank you! I believe March should be marginally warmer than September so either will be fine. Enjoy!
I went on that train in January of 2021. The weather was overcast and foggy the whole way. I didn't see much. 😞
Sorry to hear that. Bad luck, I guess.
Hi again a fantastic video. A question how far is the picton station from the interislander ferry terminal. You mentioned short distance Is it walkable with a suitcase. Appreciate your help.. i think i figured it out in Google map😊
Thank you! It’s about 300 metres (a five minute walk) so yes, definitely doable with a suitcase). 😊
Interesting segue at 6:53
Couldn’t help myself. 😜
Giddy there, what time of year did you travel?👍
This was early November.
Dear Mr Adam Joyce. Your presentations are very informative.
Truly enjoyable. I have a question if you may kindly choose not to ignore 😊(btw my subscription number is 18601😅😅)
We are planning to take the interislander from Wellington to Picton and connect Coastal Pacific at 140pm.
Q. Does coastal Pacific train wait for ferry passengers?
Or is it advisable to stay a night at Picton and catch the train next day?
Thank you
Also if you haven't visited Sri Lanka yet there is an amazing train journey to the mountains. Cheers
Thank you very much!
You can travel on the Interislander and the Coastal Pacific on a single booking through the Great Journeys of NZ website:
www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours-and-trains/scenic-trains/coastal-pacific-train/
My understanding, is that this means, the train would (within reason) wait for the ferry, and they allow almost 90 minutes for the transfer (which is plenty of time). And provided you've made the reservations on a single booking, if for some reason the train couldn't wait, then it would be up to Great Journeys of NZ to assist you. You can always contact the Great Journeys of NZ online or by phone to check, noting that the Coastal Pacific has stopped for winter but will resume in September. Hope this helps.
No, I've not been to Sri Lanka but hope to one day. All the best!
Thank you very much for taking time to reply. The single ticket sounds connection binding. Will check further anyway. Good day
What blunder with the knife
Yes, was paying too much attention to filming myself. 🤦♂️
Anyone knowthe artist and song playing around 34:47?
It's Neon Affair by Notize:
ua-cam.com/video/3HDzJWjBsqE/v-deo.html
@@FromtheWindowSeat Thank you!
thanks for having a proper attempt at speaking the maori language spot on mate
Cheers! I know it wasn’t quite right but i certainly tried.
Hi
Hi 👋
1:10 Sadly, after $350m has already been spent on the Interislander project, the new NZ govt has canned it because they think they can find a better solution.
Reminds me of Turnbull's better, faster, cheaper NBN... we know how that went 😩
Sheesh … doesn’t sound promising!
$21.50 for a hot meal with lamb in 2024 service included, it is cheap!
😋
Dude, you gotta let go of the being behind schedule thing.
Ha! I’ll try bit I’m an on time kinda person. 😂
Keven Leonardo
um your title is not uite right, you've never heard of? well i have, by the way that freigh facility is kiwirail not toll
The title is really aimed at people outside of NZ. I had never heard of the Coastal Pacific until I started researching my trip to NZ. Whereas I knew of the TranzAlpine … and it’s the same with a lot of non-Kiwis I’ve talked to. 🤔
@@FromtheWindowSeat are you going to do the taieri gorge railway?
just a wee addition, the first locomotive that came in at the beginning was the one that got trapped in an tunnel around Kaikōura, or just a bit further south,
@@abecoulter8550 Not yet. Unfortunately couldn’t fit it in to my itinerary but very keen to visit Dunedin and take that train.
@@abecoulter8550 Oh wow - cool fact. Cheers!
No smoking on the viewing car? 😢
Afraid not.
Why do you blur everybody’s face that are strangers
Just to be mindful of people’s privacy. Also, some people look directly at the camera, which is a bit awkward.
Isn't it a pity that the romance and beauty of steam trains has given way to these ugly and soulless diesel electrics.
Understand the feeling. Although I don’t mind diesels. Some sound great.
Have you got Licence to be allowed to wear that shirt???
Australians are exempt. 💁♀️
lol...great answer. At least you have a sense of humour. Cheers
Better taste than many New Zealanders who go to the supermarket in pyjamas...
Mate, I love your train videos but please; that bloody music on this trip is as annoying as the *"HELLO, FRANK WALKER FROM NATIONAL PILES"* AD ON THE RADIO. It is driving me nuts listening to the same tune playing over and over again!
Come on … you can’t criticise Frank Walker from National Tiles! What a legend! 😝😂😂😂
Been waiting for this one.
Fantastic Video!
Can't wait to do the Journey myself.
I highly recommend it (in case you can’t tell 😜). Thank you!